The beautiful island of Kerkyra (or Corfu), the island of cantadas (traditional Ionian Island love songs) offers a unique atmosphere and style that steels the heart of all its visitors.
According to Greek mythology, the island got its name from the daughter of the river god Asopos, Nymph Korkyra, who was carried away by Poseidon. In Homer's Odyssey we read that Odysseus found shelter here in Kerkyra at the end of his wanderings and received the care of King Alkinoos and his people Pheaces and his daughter Nafsika.

Kerkyra Greece general information
Kerkyra lies off the coast of Epirus North of Paxoi Island in between Greece and Italy. It is 58 km long and about 27 km wide and its highest peak is Pandokratoras (906 m high). Its geographical position attracted powers in the past, from east & west. Through ancient history it was under the rule of the city-states of Athens & Corinth and later it was ruled by the Goths, Lombards, Saracens & Normans and was fought over from the kings of Sicily and the Italian city-states of Genoa & Venice.
Kerkyra has played an important role in the cultural and educational development of modern Greece. In 1815 Lord Guilford founded the first Fine Arts School and first University of Greece on the island with the support of Ioannis Kapodistrias who was born in Kerkyra to become later the first Prime Minister of the newly liberated Greece. The island is well watered and very fertile full of Olive and citrus trees, grapes and corn. That's why, Kerkyra is considered as having one of the most attractive countryside of all the Greek Islands.

Sightseeing in Kerkyra Greece
Paleokastritsa, 26 kilometres west of Kerkyra town, a miniature earthly paradise with its crystal clear waters, enchanting coves and lush greenery growing right up to the sea.
Kanoni, 4 kilometers south of town is the most popular spot on the island. Here a narrow causeway leads across the water to the Monastery of Vlacherna and from there one can take a caique to visit delightful Pondikonissi and its 13th century church.
Pelekas, 13 kilometers west of the town, a lovely village set on a rocky hill, whose summit according to the Corfiots say is the best place to watch the sun go down. Not far from Pelekas in the Ropa Valley is situated Kerkyra's excellent golf course.
Gastouri, a picturesque hill village, is the site of the Achillion, the summer palace of the Empress Elizabeth of Austria and the last Kaiser. The Palace has many beautiful gardens ideal for a romantic walk. A part of it places an important museum as well.
Other sights not to be missed include, on the east side of the island Kassiopi, Ipsos, Dassia, Gouvia, Benitses, Moraitika and Messongi. On its west side Lake Korission (Limni Korission), the only lake on Kerkyra island. In the northern part of the island are the resorts of Sidari, Paleokastritsa, Arillas, Acharavi with its sandy beach, and Roda, whose beach is even longer. From Sidari you can take a boat to the three picturesque offshore islands of Erikoussa, Mathraki and Othoni. Their sheltered anchorages are ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
But Kerkyra island also has another side: a vital traditional facet to its personality still very much alive in the costumes of its village women and in its local festivals. Fine examples of folk art and crafts are displayed in shops all over the island: hand-woven textiles and embroideries with intricate designs, objects of all kinds carved out of olive wood, silver utensils and lovely jewellery